Mass. families no longer pay the most in health insurance premiums

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The Commonwealth Fund released a report today on the rise of insurance premiums in the United States in 2010. The report included some good news for Massachusetts. The state no longer has the most expensive premiums for private employer-based family plans. After years in that unenviable top spot, the state fell behind eight states and Washington, D.C.

But the picture for the country as a whole was quite grim. The Commonwealth Fund created a fantastic interactive graphic to show just how much has changed in the past seven years.

In 2003, health insurance premiums accounted for 20 percent or more of median household income for people under age 65 in just one state: West Virginia. Last year, that was the case in 23 states, including Maine and New York. In Massachusetts, premiums accounted for about 16 percent of 2010 median household income.

Chelsea Conaboy can be reached at cconaboy@boston.com. Follow her on Twitter @cconaboy.